How LCARA Started

Tony DePrato (WA4JQS) founded Lake Cumberland Amateur Radio Association on June 29, 1974 with 29 charter members. The clubs By-Laws were accepted by the ARRL, and the ARRL charter was issued September 28, 1974 with a 100% ARRL Membership Certificate issued. At the time the club was open to all persons in the area who held an Amateur Radio License. Tony DePrato was the first elected president.

In the early years, activities included a Ham Fest, Code and Theory Class, a published news letter, and Field Day exercises.
Several of the 29 charter members are silent keys today. They will be missed.

We are still going strong with nearly 100 members. The club still hold the same values and principle as it did when it was first formed. The club is open to all Amateur Radio licensees, as well as those interested in ham radio preparing to get their license.

We support and maintain two repeaters, as well as provide Echo Link and IRLP connections to the main 88 repeater.

We are an active club with monthly meetings, hands on days, as well as weekly nets. Repeater and Net information can be found through the menu. Each year we have a fish fry, a potluck, and a Christmas dinner in December instead of our normal monthly meeting.

Wednesdays we have breakfast at Frisch's Big Boy in Somerset, KY - 8:00 to 10:00.